Early in my seminary training during a discussion with my hermeneutics professor I commented that I did not think that God had revealed His Word to be interpreted five different ways. I came to this position after some twenty years of being involved in various denominational, independent, and non-denominational churches. The disciples were commissioned by Jesus to make disciples. I believe that commission also extends to those disciples in the body of Christ today. Along with that Jesus explained that their testimony, their witness to the Truth, was to be seen by their love for one another [John 13:35]. Similarly, the testimony of the body of Christ, His Church, to the truth of the Gospel is to be seen by its unity, the “oneness” of the Church [John 17:21, 23]. Paul takes the church to task for its divisions and teaches that division is a work of the flesh [Galatians 5:19-20]. How would the testimony of Christ’s Church be looked upon today? Jesus prayed that we would be one, just like He and the Father were one [John 17:22] so that the world would know that He, Jesus, was sent by the Father and loves the Church as He also loves the Son.
Either the Word of God is true or it is not. There is no middle ground. The Bible states that those who are “born again” have the mind of Christ [1 Corinthians 2:16]. The Bible says there is one body and one Spirit and those who are born again are called to one hope – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. If this is all true, then why is the Church in the divided state it is in? The only conclusion is because of the flesh since division and dissention are the works of the flesh [Galatians 5:19-20]. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh [Galatians 5:24] and should give no provision to the flesh [Romans 13:14]. For the flesh [division and dissention] is opposed to God and those in the flesh cannot please God [Romans 8:8].
My intention is to open a forum where discussion can take place toward the goal of unity. I hope that steps can be taken toward fulfilling the divine testimony of Christ’s Church to the world. To God be the glory.